Be Smart

Back on the market for a new music player and you want to avoid the Apple store, the Apple geniuses, and personally you like FM radio and on/off button? A favorite company of mine, Sansa, has recently released the newest member of their family, Sansa Fuze.

Smaller than your credit card (if you lose things this is not a selling point), Fuze comes with 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB of storage. If you get the 8GB you’re getting a guarantee of 24 hours of battery life and room for up to 2000 songs (est. 4 min songs).

Download and watch your favorite video on Fuze’s 1.9” color screen. Tune into public FM radio with 40 present stations. Make your mental notes real audio ones with the built-in voice recorder. And, finally share your photos with friends and family.

Personally, I love my 5th generation iPod Classic, but I'd consider giving it up for a comparable model with a larger screen that didn't cost as much as an iPhone. That would likely create a convert out of me. Mind you, my little music-toting buddy is on the fritz, which is why I'd consider parting ways.

Price: $79.99-129.99 at Sansa here or at Amazon (currently out of stock).